A court in Mombasa has ordered Shakahola massacre key suspect Paul MaShackenzie to record his abduction allegations at the nearest police station.
Shanzu Law Courts Principal Magistrate Leah Juma on Wednesday, April 4 directed Mackenzie to be escorted to the nearest police station to register his complaint.
The court directed that he record his complaint in the presence of his counsel and that the police conduct lawful investigations over the matter.
Magistrate Juma issued the directive after the investigation officer, Steven Ambani, appeared before the court to answer Mackenzie’s claim.
Ambani stated that he did not receive Mackenzie’s complaint and that if he had, he would have acted accordingly.
In her ruling, Magistrate Juma expressed contentment with his explanation and directed Mackenzie to record his statement with the police on April 8, 2024.
The officer in charge of Shimo la Tewa Maximum Security Prison, Assistant Commissioner of Prisons, Mr. Kassim Kimuyu, also appeared in court to explain Mackenzie’s segregation from other suspects.
Kimuyu the court that Mackenzie is a prisoner serving a 10-month jail term after being convicted by a Malindi court on December 1, 2023.
Kimuyu further noted that any separation of Mackenzie or other inmates was conducted in accordance with applicable laws, including the Prison Act and the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
In her ruling, the magistrate stated that she was satisfied with his explanation, adding that the Prison Act allows the segregation of convicts from remandees.
Meanwhile, the magistrate declined Mackenzie’s request to be transferred from Shimo la Tewa Prison to Malindi GK prison. She stated that she did not have jurisdiction and urged Mackenzie to approach the court that sentenced him.
The court directed that Mackenzie and his co-suspects continue to be detained at Shimo la Tewa Maximum Security Prison and ordered prison authorities to be guided by the law in handling them.
Meanwhile, the court also directed the probation department and the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC) to file their pre-bail reports within 30 days.
The pre-bail reports are required to guide the court in determining an application by the prosecution to oppose the release of Mackenzie and his co-accused on bond.
The court ruled that the ordinary mention of the matter be on April 18, while further mention to confirm the submission of pre-bail reports would be on May 6, 2024.
